NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited and The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) have entered into a agreement relating to the setting up of a Central Recordkeeping Agency (CRA) for the National Pension System (NPS). The NPS was introduced by Government of India for its new recruits (except the Armed Forces) joining w.e.f. January 1, 2004.

CRA is the core infrastructure for the National Pension System and is critical for its successful operationalization. The main functions and responsibilities of the CRA include:

Recordkeeping, Administration and customer service functions for all subscribers of the NPS.

Issuing of unique Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) to each subscriber, maintaining a database of all PRANs issued and recording transactions relating to each subscriber's PRAN.

Acting as an operational interface between PFRDA and other NPS intermediaries such as Pension Funds, Annuity Service Providers, Trustee Bank etc.CRA will monitor member contributions and instructions and transmit the information to the relevant Pension Fund and schemes on a daily basis. CRA will provide periodic, consolidated PRAN statements to each member and discharge such other duties and functions as may be determined by the guidelines, directions and regulations issued by the PFRDA from time to time.